Labour Party rebellion over Britain’s treatment of retired Gurkhas

A growing Labour rebellion against the Government’s treatment of the Gurkhas has put intense pressure on ministers to allow more Nepalese veterans to retire in the UK.

Dozens of Labour backbenchers are expected to vote against the Government’s treatment of the Gurkhas. The revolt comes after the Labour-dominated Home Affairs Committee told the Government to do more for the Gurkhas and summoned Phil Woolas, the immigration minister, to explain its stance.

The Government has been accused of betraying thousands of Nepalese men who fought for Britain in conflicts including the Falklands after setting new immigration rules that stop short of allowing all former Gurkhas to come to Britain. Under the new rules, only Gurkhas with at least 10 years’ service are eligible to come to Britain. Other foreign nationals serving with the British Armed Forces can apply after only four years.

The High Court last year declared that preventing Gurkhas who had served in the British Army before 1997 from living in this country was unlawful. In response, the Home Office last week issued fresh criteria for allowing Gurhkas into the UK, but set the bar for entry so high that campaigners say that only a few hundred veterans will ever qualify.

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, has called for all former Gurkhas to be admitted to Britain [Hear, Hear!] and will today trigger a Commons vote on the issue. Forty-five Labour backbenchers have signed a Commons motion calling for Gurkhas who retired before 1997 to have the same immigration status as those who retired after that time. In all, 109 MPs have backed the motion.

Martin Salter, a Labour backbencher, said: “This completely disgraceful decision does a great disservice to the brave Gurkha soldiers who have willingly risked their lives for this country.”

Mr Clegg appealed to Labour MPs to vote against the Government’s “insulting decision to turn its back on these brave soldiers.” He said: “People who are prepared to fight and die for our country should be entitled to live here. Yet even this basic principle is broken by this out of touch and morally bankrupt Government.” The Lib Dem motion in the Commons will also be publicly supported at Westminster rally by the actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served in a Gurkha regiment.

Mr Woolas has claimed that giving free access to all former Gurkhas and their families could mean as many as 100,000 people moving to Britain. Advocates of the Gurkha cause say that is an overestimate, and the Home Affairs Committee has summoned Mr Woolas to explain the Government’s treatment of the Gurkhas.

Keith Vaz, the Labour chairman of the committee said ministers should “do the honourable thing” and admit the Gurkhas. He said: “The Committee was tremendously impressed by the merits of the Gurkha argument and the dignity with which they have attempted to redress a great injustice. “It is indisputable that the UK owes an historic debt of gratitude to the Gurkhas for their brave, loyal and distinguished service in the defence of this country. Natural justice as well as moral rectitude dictate that we should treat them equally as any other individual prepared to fight and die for this country.” [I never thought I would applaud Keith Vaz but I do on this occasion — JR]